Compressor



l. G. DE REMER.

COMPRESSOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.9. \9l9. 1,373,175. Patented Mar.29,1921. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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Mangas; Wd.

J. G. DE REMER.

COMPRESSQR.

APPLICATION min Dime. 1919.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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JAY GRANT DE BEMER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

COMPRESSOR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

original application led January 16, 191B, Serial No. 212,113. Divided and this application iiled December 9, 1919. Serial No. 343,471.

T 0 all 'whom it my concern.

Be it known that I, JAY GRANT DE RnMER, a citizen of the United States and a resident of the cit and county of San Francisco, State of "alifornia, have invented certain new and useful Compressors, of which the following is a specication. t

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 212,113, filed in the Patent Oilice on January 16, 1918.

The present invention relates to improvements in fluid compressors or vacuum umps of the type or class '1n which separate odies of the fluid to be compressed or exhausted are successively forced through a helically formed conduit by the action of similarly separated masses of a suitable compressor li ui qOne of the objects of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted for the purposes stated which does not require thel use of valves, stuiing boxes, glands, plston rlngs or external moving parts, such as piston rods, valve stems, &c.

The apparatus is particularly advantageous' for use with refrigerating apparatus and in the aforesaid arent application, I have shown several em diments thereof for use with refrigerating apparatus, but it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited, but may be em loyed in various ways and arts for the pro uction of pressure or vacuum.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foreing, will be" set forth at len hin the folowing description, where I s all outline m full that form of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming Sart of the present 's eciiication. In said rawmgs have s own two forms of the apparatus of m invention but it is to be understood that do not limit myself to such forms, since the invention, as expressed in the claims, may be y embodied in other forms.

Referring to said drawings Figure 1 is a longitudine. sectional view of a compressor ,constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 '1s a longitudinal section, on a larger scale, of aportion of the compressor shown in Fig. 1.

lsleeve 13 that is screwe may be considered as illustrating, more or less diagrammatically, the principle or method of operation employed, 1 deslgnates a shell or casing to the ends of which suitable caps 2-3 are secured. Said casing is so supported that it is adapted to rotate bodily about the axis of a shaft 4' but does not rotate upon its own axis.

The compressor body, comprising the shell or `casing 1 and end sections 2, 3, is held at considerable angle to the axis of shaft 4, the cap or end section 3 being shown as connected to an arm 5 while an extension of the end is supported on a bearin situated colncident with a prolongation o the aXis of said shaft. In the form illustrated the shaft 4 is arranged horizontally and the end of the inclined compressor nearest the axis of said shaft is supported b a universal joint comprising a horizontal s aft 6 rnounted at the upper end of a yoke supported to turn about a vertical axis in a base piece 7.

The Weight of the several arts is balanced about the axis of shaft 4 y a counterweight 8 and on said shaft is secured a power wheel or pulley 9.. j

Within the casing 1 is rovided a helical passage 1.0 which 1s a ually reduced in area, or cross section, rom its inlet end, adjacent the cap 2, to its deliveryend. As shown this passage is formed by a peripheral groove or thread on a tubular body 11 whic fits tightly within the shell or casing 1. In ractice it is preferred to provide two of suc helical passages arranged as a doublfl thread.

A conduit 1 2 extends axially through the body l1 and rejects into the end section 3 within whic itis provided with an enlargement 12 the exterior of which is of the same form but smaller than the chamber in the end or head 3. Said conduit is held in engagement with the bod 11 by a coupling thereon and into the end of said body. Said sleeve is of such length that it extends to the end wall of the section 2 and is also fitted on the end of a conduit 14 by which the fluid to be compressed is supplied to the chamber within the cap or end section 2. A collar 15 is screwed into a socket at the lower end of body 11, about the conduit 12` said collar havlng a )lurality ot' inwardly projectingr radial stu s or pins that contact with the conduit and assist in maintaining it in the desired relation to the bod Y 11.

The supply conduit 14 through which the Huid to be compressed is supplied to the apparatus communicates with the chamber in the end section 2 adacent the inlet end ot' the passage 10 througi a plurality of radially extending ducts 16. A series ot' longi tudinally extending ducts 1T in the bothl of the coupling sleeve 13 connect the passage surroululingr the conduit 12 with the interior of the tubular extension of the end member 2 to provide a passage for the compressed fluid from the space surrounding the conduit 12 which communicates with the chamber in the head or end section 3.

18--19 designate, respectively, flexible pipes or tubes for supplying fluid to be compressed to the conduit 1-l and for the escape of compressed fluid from the space surrounding said conduit.

A body 20 of suitable liquid, for example mercury, is introduced into the chamber in the end or head 2 and as the shaft el is revolved separate masses ot' such liquid will under the action of centrifugal force suc cessively enter the passage 10 and act to compress the intermediate bodies` of Huid received therein from the chamber about the coupling sleeve 13. The compressed Huid and mercury will be separated in the space surrounding the enlargement on the cud ot the conduit 12 the mercury being forced back through said tube, against the centrifugal force, by the pressure generated, until it reaches the ducts 16 through which it passes into the chamber surrounding the coupling sleeve 13 thus completing its circuit. The compressed fluid passes through the space surrounding the conduit 12- and the ducts 1T into the tubular extension ot' the end section 2 and to the pipe 19.

In operation, the mercury passes downward through the helical passage 10 into the casing 3 and thence backward up the tube 12 and through the passages 1G into the cas ing 2, where it again enters the helical passage. The apparatus is charged with suilicient mercury, so that, when operating. there is always mercury present in the casing 2 and, as long as mercury is present in this casing, it will enter the helical passage and be forced through said passage, by the move ment of the helix about the axis of the shalt 4, into the casing 3. The amount of mer cury present is suiiicient to insure filling the tube 12, and to insure suiicient mercur in casing 2 to feed the helical groove an in casing 3, to seal the lower opening of the tube 12 and to provide for the proper amount of mercury in the helical tube. When the device is started, mercury is present in the annular passage surrounding the tube 12 but, upon initial rotation, centrifugal force moves the mercury in the casing 3 to uncover the lower end of the annular passage and, as fluid under pressure is forced into the casing 3, thisfluid enters the annular passage and forces the mercury therefrom into the casing 3.

W'ith the shaft 4 rotating, the mercury must pass through the helical tube. The passage of this mercur builds up a pneumatic pressure or vapor pressure 1n the casing 3, which pressure is exerted on the mercury in the casing 3, operating to move the mercury up the tube 12. The vapor or gas under pressure fills the annular )assage surrounding the tube 12, since t iis passage opens into the casing 3 above the mercury level. The presence of the vapor pressure or pneumatic pressure in the casing 3 insures the backward flow of the mercury through the tube 12 into the casing 2, the interior of which is at approximately atmospheric pressure. The circulation of the mercury is due to two causes; first, the presence of sufficient mercury to cause a back flow and, second, the pneumatic or vapor pressure produced in the casing 3.

lt has been determined, experimentally, that the mercury will flow through the tube 10 upon rotation of the apparatus regardless ot` the-.pressure condition in the casing 3. The outlet conduit 19 has been closed, permitting a pneumatic pressure to build up in the casing 3, and this pressure is built up by the circulating mercury, until it forces the mercury downward in the casing 3 to a suflicient extent to break the seal or uncover the end of tube 12 permitting the gas under pressure to pass backward through the tube 12 and into the casing 2, whence it again passes through the helical tube.

In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3. which shows the compressor associated with au expansion chamber, constituting as a whole` a refrigerating machine. the several parts are so arranged that the axis about which the compressor is bodily movable is substantially vertical and the compressor is counterlmlanced by the electric motor which is em )loyed to rotate it.

Re eri-ing to said figures. 4 designates a vertically arranged upright or post. which is supported in a suitable frame 40. The compressor. evaporation chamber and intermediate parts are mounted in a Vtrame 41 supported bv suitable bearings on the stand ard 4 and trame 40 so asto revolve freely,

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being arranged so that the axis of the compressor coil is inclined to the axis about which the supporting frame 41 revolves. As shown the compressor comprises a helical coil 42 of tubing of uniform diameter, of conical form, or gradually tapering from its upper, receiving end to its lower discharge end, so that the same effect of decreasing volume per turn of the helix is roduced, as is produced in the conduit o decreasing cross section shown in Fig. 1. Said coil connects the receiving and delivery chambers 423-44, rwhich are further connected by a conduit 45 extending axially of the compressor coil for the purpose of returning the compressor liquid from adjacent the dischar e end of the coil to the inlet end thereof. he compressed fluid is conducted from the chamber 44 through a passage surrounding the conduit 45 and a condenser coil 46 to a chamber 47, which is adapted to communicate with the evaporation chamber 21a through a conduit.

The ends of the compressor are supported in ball bearings in the frame 41 while the connection between the compressor and evaporation chamber is prevented from rotating by a universal, gimbal joint compris ing a ring 60 having two sets of axial studs (50a-60", arranged at right angles to each other, so that as the machine is operated the compressor or coil will have the same motion as the helical passage in the form of compressor illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The studs 60'* are journaled in the wall of the inclosure 70 and the studs 60b are journaled in the tube'connecting the compressor and the expansion chamber. Y

Communication between the chambers 47---21fL is controlled by a float valve 50 which is so shaped and proportioned that it is opened intermittingly to admit charges of ,the condensed compressed fluid to the evaporation chamber 21.

This float valve is fully described in the parent application to which reference is made for a moreeomplete disclosure thereof.

The frame 41 is rotated by an electric motor 60 mounted in the frame on the opposite side of the axis of the upright 4 from the compressor. As shown, the armature of the motor is provided with a pinion 61 that meshes with a gear 62 secured to the base if. which the upright 4a is supported and current is supplied to the motor from two contact rings 63---63Et secured to said hase and over which travel brushes 64 connected with the terminals of the motor winding.

The evaporation chamber 2l is shown within a suitable inclosure 70 supported on the frame 40 and provided with suitable inlet and outlet pipes 7l-72. The walls oi? the inclosure 70 may be of suitable nonheat conducting material.

It will, of course, be understood that the various views are more or less diagrammatic and that the several arts may be differently proportioned from t ose shown.

As before stated, and as is evident, the apparatus may be readily employed as a vacuum pump. In such use the tube 18 will be connected with the space to be evacuated and the tube 19 with the atmosphere for example.

By supplying a suitable power fluid to the tube 19 and permitting exhaust through the tube 18 the apparatus is adapted for use as a prime mover.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination of a helically formed conduit supported to revolve about an axis forming an acute angle to the axis of its helix, the smaller end of said conduit being more remote from the axis of revolution than the larger end thereof, two chambers communicating respectively with the ends of said conduit, and means for revolving the conduit.

2. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination of a shaft-like support, a helically formed, conduit of decreasing volume per turn carried by said support in an inclined position, the larger end of the helix being at a less distance from the axis of said support than the smaller end thereof, means for supplying liquid and fliiid to be compressed to the larger end of the conduit` means for conducting compressed fluid from the smaller end of said conduit, and means for revolving the conduit about the axis of the support.

3. In a fluid compressor, the combination of a rotor comprising a helically formed conduit of decreasing volume per turn and two chambers communicating respectively with the ends of said conduit, a body of compressor liquid permanently contained within said rotor, means for supplying fluid to be compressed to the chamber at thelarger end of the conduit helix. means for revolving the. rotor about an axis extending at an angle to the axis of said helix, means for withdrawing compressed Huid from the chamber at the smaller end of the helix, and means for returning the compressor liquid from the last said chamber to the chamber at the other end of the helix.

4. In a Huid compressor. the combination of a rotor comprising a helically formed conduit of decreasing volume per turn and two chambers communicating respectively with the ends of said conduit, a body of compressor liquid permanently contained within said rotor, means for supplying fluid to be compressed to the chamber at the larger end of the conduit helix, means for revolvin the rotor about an axis extending at an ang e t0 the axis of said helix, means for' withdraw ing compressed fluid from the chamber at the smaller end of the helix, and a conduit extendin along the axis of the helix for returning t e compressor liquid from the last said chamber to the chamber at the inlet end of the helix.

5. In a fluid compressor, the combination of a rotor comprising a helically formed conduit of decreasing volume per turn and two chambers communicating res ectively with the ends of said conduit, a ody of compressor liquid permanently contained within said rotor, means for supplying iiuid' to be compressed to the chamber at the larger end of the conduit helix, means for revolving the rotor about an axis extending at an angle to the axis of said helix, means for withdrawing compressed fluid from the chamber at the smaller end of the helix, and two concentric conduits leading from the last said chamber, the inner of said conduits extendin to the chamber at the inlet end of they he ix.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a hellcallyformed conduit supported to bemoved in a circle about an axis forming an acute angle with the axis of its helix and exterior to the helix, chambers communicating respectively with the ends of the conduit, and means for moving the conduit about said exterior axis.

7. In an a paratus of the character described, a hehcally formed conduit arranged with the axis of the helix exterior to and at an acute angle to an axis of rotation, means for supplying liquid and uld to the end of :,avam

the conduit nearest the axis of rotation, means for conducting compressed Huid from the other end of the conduit, and means for revolving the conduit about said axis of rotation.

8. In an a paratus of the character described, a he ically formed conduit having the axis of the helix arranged at an acute angle to an axis of rotation disposed ex terlorly to the axis of the helix, and means for alternately supplying liquid and fluid to the end of the conduit nearest the axis of rotation.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a hellcally formed conduit arranged to be moved in a circle about an axis inclined to the axis of the helix and spaced from the helix whereby diierent parts of the helix move throu h circles of different diameter,

and means or alternately supplying liquid' and fluid to that end of the conduit which moves through the circle of lesser diameter.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a hellcally formed conduit of decreasin volume per turn supported to be moved 1n a circle about an axis forming an acute angle with the axis of the helix and exteriorto the helix, chambers communicating respectively with the ends of the conduit and means for moving the conduit about said exterior axis.

In 'testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at an Francisco, California, this 1st day of December, 1919.

JAY GRANT DE REMER.

In presence of- H. G. Pnosr. 

